CCC,MACP.
About Jenny Im 임자영
Canadian Certified Counsellor (#11261661)
Hi, I'm Jenny,
Do you find yourself constantly comparing your body to others, criticizing your appearance, or struggling to feel comfortable in your own skin? Maybe you feel guilty about food, worry about how others perceive you, or avoid certain clothes and social situations because of your appearance. These struggles may be shaped by family expectations, cultural values, past trauma, or difficult relationships.
Experiences of sexual or domestic violence can also affect how you view your body, understand your boundaries, and experience safety and trust. You may carry feelings of shame, self-blame, or disconnection that have been difficult to talk about.
I offer a compassionate, supportive, and non-judgmental space where women can explore their experiences around their body image at their own pace. My approach is informed by feminist and trauma-informed perspectives, recognizing how relationships, culture, family dynamics, and societal expectations shape our sense of self.
Together, we can explore body image concerns, relationships with food, identity, trauma, and family dynamics while creating space for self-understanding and empowerment.
My goal is to help women develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves and their bodies, strengthen self-worth, and rebuild trust in their own experiences.
Together, we can challenge internalized beliefs about beauty, recognize personal needs, develop healthier boundaries, and reconnect with an identity beyond appearance and external expectations.
You deserve to feel comfortable in your own skin and recognize that your worth is not defined by your appearance or ability to meet others' expectations.
Clinical Hours
Tuesday: 9:00am – 2:00 PM
Wednesday: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Specialties
Body image concerns & self image
Relationship with food & eating
Korean & Asian family dynamics
Modalities
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
EMDR
Education
EMDR (2026)
Beyond the Bio
Because therapy is human & so are we.
My dog Doogun
His name means heart beat in Korean.
Travelling the word
Finding new places to visit and trying all kinds of cuisine.
Art & Canvas painting
I love Canvas painting in my free time, here is one of my most recent paintings.
Who I Work With
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I work with people who feel at war with their body or struggle with harsh self-judgment. If you compare yourself constantly, avoid mirrors or photos, or can’t remember the last time you felt at home in your own skin, you’re welcome here. We’ll work on building a kinder, steadier relationship with yourself.
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Food can take up a lot of space in your head. I support people dealing with guilt around eating, strict food rules, bingeing, or feeling out of control with food. You don’t need a diagnosis or the right words. We’ll go at your pace and work on making food feel less like a battle.
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I support people navigating family expectations, pressure to succeed, comments about appearance or weight, and the challenge of setting boundaries with people you love. If you feel caught between cultures or generations, I understand the context and won’t ask you to explain it from scratch.
How I Work
I draw from a range of approaches depending on what you actually need.
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CBT helps you notice the thoughts and habits that keep you stuck, then practise new ways of responding. It’s practical and structured, and it’s especially useful for harsh self-talk, food rules, and anxious thinking around eating and body image.
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DBT builds skills for handling intense emotions without turning to food, control, or self-criticism. You learn to ride out hard moments, communicate more clearly, and feel steadier, while still being accepted exactly as you are.
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This approach puts you and your own experience at the centre. Sessions offer a warm, non-judgmental space where you set the pace and direction, so you can explore what you feel and build a kinder relationship with yourself.
What to Expect in Sessions
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We can explore how beauty standards, cultural expectations, past experiences, and self-criticism have shaped the way you see and feel about your body. The goal isn't to force body positivity, but to develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
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Whether you're navigating family expectations, difficult relationships, or experiences of sexual or domestic violence, you deserve to have your feelings heard and taken seriously. We'll explore these experiences at your pace, without judgment or pressure.
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Together, we'll explore people-pleasing patterns, boundaries, and beliefs that may have led you to put others first. We'll work toward helping you trust your own voice, reconnect with your identity, and feel more confident in expressing what you need.
Together, we'll explore people-pleasing patterns, boundaries, and beliefs that may have led you to put others first. We'll work toward helping you trust your own voice, reconnect with your identity, and feel more confident in expressing what you need.
Are you feeling stuck in old patterns or overwhelmed by the demands of relationships, work, or your own expectations?
Are you hoping for change but find yourself weighed down by anxiety, confusion, or emotional exhaustion?
FAQs
Feeling guilty about eating is more common than people admit, and it is not a willpower problem. It often grows out of food rules, family messages, or pressure to look a certain way. Therapy helps you loosen those rules and build a calmer relationship with food, without having to do it perfectly.
Why do I feel guilty every time I eat?
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Why can’t I stop comparing my body to everyone else’s?
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Constant body comparison is exhausting, and it usually means you have been judging yourself harshly for a long time. It often gets louder with social media or comments from people close to you. Therapy helps you notice the comparing, ease the self-criticism, and feel more at home in your own skin.
Why do I eat when I’m stressed and then hate myself for it?
3
Eating to cope with stress is something many people do, and it does not mean something is wrong with you. The shame afterward often hurts more than the eating itself. In therapy, we look at what the eating is helping you handle, and build other ways to cope so food feels less like a battle.
Will a therapist get my family background, or will I have to explain everything?
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You should not have to start from zero. Our clinician works with Korean and Asian family dynamics, as well as people from all backgrounds, so family expectations and feeling caught between cultures are familiar territory. Share as much or as little context as you like. We offer sessions in Port Coquitlam and online across BC.
How do I set boundaries with my Korean parents without feeling like a bad kid?
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Setting boundaries with Korean parents can feel impossible when respect for elders, loyalty to family, and doing what is expected are woven into everything. Many people feel guilty just thinking about saying no, even when they know they need space. Wanting boundaries does not make you disrespectful or ungrateful. In therapy, we work on finding ways to be honest with your family that fit your values, so you can protect your own wellbeing without feeling like you are giving up the relationship.
